LASVEGAS (AP) — A lawyer for a former physician-owner of Las Vegas-area endoscopy clinics entered a not guilty plea to federal conspiracy and fraud charges stemming from a 2008 hepatitis outbreak that affected thousands of patients.

Attorney Richard Wright spoke for Dipak Desai (DEE’-pack des-EYE’) during his Thursday arraignment on
an indictment handed up April 27.

Desai’s appearance had been postponed while he was at a state mental facility in Sparks, where doctors ruled he’s fit to stand trial on state criminal charges of racketeering, insurance fraud and patient neglect.

His lawyer says he’s incapacitated by strokes. He has pleaded not guilty.